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Staying in Love

How To Keep a Long Term Relationship Strong and Healthy

By Christina BuchananPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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My boyfriend and I have been together for a while, so we are way beyond the honeymoon phase. This doesn't mean however, that our relationship has gotten dull. And that takes a little work to keep things new and exciting still. Here are 8 ways to keep a relationship strong.

1. Don't stop going on dates.

While staying in and eating chips and salsa on the couch together seems low maintenance and comfortable, sometimes it is important to actually dress up and go out for a formal date. It reignites the sparks that you felt in the beginning of the relationship, and helps to keep things feeling new.

2. Be best friends and partners.

By this, I don't mean that you should share all your gossip, paint nails, and do face masks. I mean that you should be able to laugh together, feel at ease with each other, and want to spend quality time together.

3. Make time for intimacy.

And intimacy does not just include sex (Although that is super important too!) Intimacy could be having a late night intense conversation talking about your hopes and dreams for the future, a cuddling session, or even just taking time to kiss each other at unexpected moments. Sex is super important too. Not just having sex, but focusing on your partner during foreplay as well. Keep the attraction alive, you want your partner to feel like you can barely keep your hands or mind off of them.

4. Communicate.

Communication is key. If you need something from the relationship, talk about it. Always. Letting issues go unsolved for too long is a recipe for disaster. And asking your partner questions like "Is there anything I can do, to be a better partner for you, in this relationship?" Open up a non judgmental dialogue. Along with that, you have to be willing to listen to their answer, and try to implement whatever their response is.

5. Try new things.

Try new things together. Create new memories. These things don't have to be huge, like skydiving off a cliff or traveling across the country, it can be something small, like trying a new restaurant or sharing your favorite music with each other.

6. Be kind.

This should be common sense, but sometimes you may get flustered or angry during an argument and throw this one out the window. Do not forget that even though you may be upset or angry, they are your partner, not your enemy. During an argument, your goal should be to resolve the problem, not simply to get your point across.

7. Keep your relationship YOURS.

Discussing every detail of your last argument with family or friends, or badmouthing your partner in a moment of anger, is not okay. There is a time and a place for everything. Certain things should be kept between you two.

8. Don't compare.

The old saying is that comparison is the thief of joy. That is no exaggeration. Don't compare your relationship to anyone else's or try to model your relationship after the ones that you see on Instagram or Facebook. Remember that with those relationships, you are only seeing a snapshot of someone else's relationship, not the entire thing.

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